Pros and cons of a DIY short-distance move

Every relocation takes time and preparation. Chances are you will be overwhelmed. But that’s ok, it’s only for a day or two. There are few ways to save some money while moving. Doing it on your own is one way. When you are up for a long-distance move or even an international one, it might be best to leave this job to professionals. But since you are up for a short-distance move, you might be able to do it on your own. Of course, there are some pros and cons of a DIY short-distance move. We have listed them for you to help you make the final choice on how to prepare for your relocation.

Packing

This might sound silly but packing can be a quite boring and difficult process. Often professional movers can provide you with that service and you don’t have to be bothered too much. If you don’t have too many household items, you can do it yourself. But be careful not to hurt yourself during packing and some heavy lifting. It is easy to forget about safety during all this packing especially if you are in a rush, but nothing is more important than safety!

Tips for DIY packing and planning a DIY short-distance move

Before you start packing, try organizing your things. Decluttering might be the best first step. Think about what you use often and what you haven’t used in ages. Gather the stuff you haven’t used and think about what you can get rid of. Getting rid of things you don’t need will make the whole process easier for you. Less stuff means easier packing. The next step is getting all the supplies. Make sure to get some good-quality boxes as they will be keeping all your household items safe. Another good tip – download some moving apps for your smartphone to help you stay on top of things. Nowadays you have many of them so it will be easy to pick one to help you. Gather as much info as possible before you start this process. This way you will feel better and you will be sure of your decision.

Family relocation

If you are moving with your family and there are kids involved – it can get difficult. Packing alone can be a hassle with kids, especially if there are toddlers involved. They can be quite difficult to work around. Just like teenagers. In that case, you might want to consider hiring professional movers. It might cost more than if you DIY it, but it will be worth saving your mental health. The same goes if you are moving with senior citizens who might not be very mobile. In those cases, movers are the best solution. If you are unsure where to look for good movers, try mastermovingguide.com.

Time management – pros and cons

You are probably wondering what might be quicker. There is no simple answer. Hiring movers and letting them do all the hard work can be quick. This is what they do all day long. They are trained to make the whole relocation quick and painless for you. But if you are well organized and if you plan this right you can be just as quick. This is up to you. If you feel like you can do this quickly, go for it! Confidence is very important here! So is the research.

Safety

As stated before there is nothing more important than safety during a DIY short-distance move. If you are unsure whether you will be able to handle all the heavy lifting and moving heavy boxes and furniture leave this to the pros no matter the price. But if you have friends to help you out, this can be a good solution. Don’t do all the heavy lifting on your own and risk getting hurt. If you feel confident and want to DIY it, remember to lift from your legs and keep as little amount of pressure on the back as possible. It’s just like deadlifting in the gym.

Covid-19

Some people opt for a DIY short-distance move to minimize socialization and that’s quite a valid point. Although all the serious companies are keeping safety guidelines, it is safer not to be in contact especially if you think you might be sick. The best way to protect yourself and others will be to keep your mask on, have some cleaning solution for your hands when you are not able to wash them, keeping social distance, and washing hands as much as possible. As you can see even here you will find some pros and cons, so do whatever you feel like is the safest option for you.

Feeling overwhelmed

Everyone gets this feeling. It is not just you. It is the stress. Not just the relocation itself, it is the new place and the new neighborhood that cause stress. Everything is changing and you might feel like you are spinning but this is ok. This will pass soon enough. There are things to help with relocation. After that unpacking as soon as possible will make you feel better. All those boxes just laying around and looking undone will make everyone grumpy. Unpack as soon as you gather your strength. Now you are left with getting to know your new place and a chance to enjoy decorating. Also getting to know the new neighborhood and of course your first-door neighbors. Some people like throwing a barbeque and inviting neighbors for a get-together but now during the global pandemic this might not be a very wise decision. Of course, it is up to you. Just know that it will get easier over time and soon you will feel at home and nice and cozy in your new place.